IN LOVE WITH A SOLDIER, VOLUME 2 - Season 11 Episode 12

“Instead, I think you two are the happiest couple I know. And it’s not that I don’t believe you guys are in love, but I hope your love lasts a lifetime,” Austin said with great sincerity and earnestness. Even in front of his parents, he’d never been so serious as he was now.

“I know.” Greg nodded his assent. “To tell the truth, I was expecting that from Lawrence. But you got there first. I know you did this for our sake. I’ll always love Violet. You have my word on that,” he promised with determination both in his voice and on his face.

Sensing that Greg was serious about what he said, Austin gave a satisfied smile inside. He felt really happy for Violet and Greg.

“Looks like you guys all found love, but not me. I guess I’m just destined to be lonely!” Austin sighed playfully, pretending to look pitiful. He loved nothing more than to be a drama queen, so he teased everyone.

Greg turned his head to look at Austin. Gingerly, he told him, “You can’t tell me you never met a girl you were crazy about.”

He couldn’t believe that Austin never had a girlfriend. The boy not only had a high IQ but also a high EQ. Besides, he was a well-educated, successful businessman. He was always surrounded by countless hot girls, but he never seemed to have a girlfriend and avoided any pregnancy scandals. He figured Austin just kept all that under wraps – he never would have guessed that Austin couldn’t find someone to love.

“Would you buy it if I said no?” Instead of staring into Greg’s eyes, he looked up at the stars in the sky and there was a trace of bitterness in his gaze.

“Of course I wouldn’t,” Greg replied honestly.

“I fell in love once, but she married another guy a year ago. I fell pretty hard, and haven’t looked at another girl since.” Austin didn’t go into too much detail. Even though she was another man’s wife, he couldn’t get her out of his head.

Maybe he’d never forget her. He knew he’d meet someone else one day, someone who would steal his heart. And till that day came, his first love would have a special place in his heart.

“Love is cruel.” Greg closed his eyes and sighed.

He knew how that went. When Violet left him, he figured she was gone forever. But to his surprise, she walked back into his life. Fate brought them back together. They found they were happier together than apart, and so they tied the knot, and had been happy ever since.

“Love’s pretty simple, though. You meet someone, get to know her, fall in love and get married if you get on well,” Austin said, taking another swig.

Silently, Greg took a sidelong glance at Austin. In his eyes, Austin was just a kid. Greg took on a brotherly tone, “You’ll find someone someday. You need to believe that.”

“Maybe. I haven’t found anyone so far. Yeah… someday…” Austin loved once and got hurt. So he decided to let nature take its course.

…

Violet and Greg got up early that morning. After a quick breakfast, the two headed straight to the hospital.

Greg had already made an appointment for Violet. As soon as they arrived at the XS Hospital, they had a room ready for them. Violet got a color Doppler ultrasound test while Greg waited outside anxiously. When she was done, she stepped out of the room. Seeing her come out, he dashed straight to her, took her hand for support, and guided her to the bench in the hallway. He then went to the doctor’s office to get the test results. Paper in hand, he strode to his lovely wife excitedly.

“What did they say?” Violet asked eagerly, impatient to know the answer. “Good news, sweetie! Looks like the kid’s a-ok!” He was delighted.

“Really?” Violet asked with with her big eyes wide open. Overcome with rapture, she came forward and threw her arms around Greg’s neck. Overjoyed, she ignored everyone else. Right now, she was drowning in joy, and no one else mattered.

As the couple stepped out of the hospital, Greg held Violet by the hand and led her to the parking lot. On the way, he gushed, “I’ll stay at home so I can take care of you.”

“Really? And cook for me too?”

“Yes, my queen.”

“I’m gonna call Alice and fill her in. I’m sure she’s as eager as I am,” Violet beamed. She thought of her bestie first.
“Let’s call the family first. Dad, Mom and Lawrence are waiting on our good news,” Greg replied. When they left the Chu family’s villa this morning, his mother-in-law reminded him to let her know as soon as they found out. He’d been so happy that he had forgotten everything else until just now.

“You’re right. I’ll call them first.”

…

Two years later.

J City was a booming city. The FS Empire dominated its economy, while Lawrence and Austin were its well known celebrities. Men were envious of them for their business acumen, while women admired them for their charming appearance and wealth. They were known as the city’s most eligible bachelors. A woman could do worse than to marry one of them.

The latest issue of International Business Magazine was sold out as soon as it hit the newsstands.

Austin finished up his work and stretched. He reached over and grabbed a finance magazine that his assistant had placed on his desk a bit ago. As he was about to turn the page, the figure on its cover caught his attention. He rubbed his eyes and took a closer look.

To his shock, that was Aria on the cover. There she was in the 162nd issue. He turned to the article on her immediately. After scanning it, he understood what was going on. It turned out she had managed to squeeze an A-share company which initially ranked 3583 into the top five in the world inside five months. This made her a hot ticket item internationally, and everyone heard about it. All the businessmen were impressed by Aria’s talent and wit. So it was natural she had puff piece written about her.

The article mentioned that Aria was a stranger in a strange land two years ago. Since she wasn’t from a wealthy family, she had to take part-time jobs to support herself while attending university. She quickly fit in, and for some reason she impressed the financial sector. With her eloquence and flexible thinking, she was a huge hit. Headhunters kept an eye on her, and were putting together attractive recruiting proposals. Most people thought she’d give up all the part-time jobs and focus on her studies. But to their surprise, she kept at it, and in the meantime she looked for a financial company for her internship.

Despite all the pressure, she eventually got her diploma and degree certificate, and meanwhile found a job as an intern.
After she finished her three-month internship, she made a decision which no one could understand. She chose to work as a security investment adviser in a small upstart company. Five months later, she worked her magic and soon the whole world knew of her capabilities and insight.

Magazine in hand, Austin rose from his seat and hurried out of the office.

As he reached Lawrence’s office, he barged in without a knock. He wasted no time letting his cousin know the amazing news.

“You’ll never guess what? Aria’s on the cover of the latest finance magazine.” He thought his cousin would be overjoyed when he learned the news.

Lawrence lifted his head to look at an eager Austin, and his eyes fell on the magazine the young man clutched. Unexcited, he replied, “I know.”

All of a sudden, Austin felt as if he were struck by lightning. With a disappointed look, he threw the magazine onto Lawrence’s desk. He turned his back to his cousin and said, “Whoa! What a surprise. I planned to surprise you.” He was being facetious, of course. He was expecting Lawrence to be at least a little enthusiastic.

“Anna told me earlier. She has been keeping tabs on the news in the international business circles,” Lawrence said.

“Anna told you?” Austin turned around and took a seat opposite Lawrence. “I thought she was a housewife who took care of her child at home. How’d she figure that out? So Ryan let her work?” Bombarded by a ton of questions, Lawrence was running out of patience.

But since his cousin came here to share the good news about Aria, he took a deep breath before he opened his mouth. He explained, “She didn’t take a job. But she’s eager to know what happens in the business circle and Ryan’s okay with that. The magazine was the talk of Wall Street two weeks ago. So I know the news.”

“I see,” Austin said, as he thought this explanation reasonable. Now that Aria was so successful, he doubted whether his parents would come back soon.

“When will she be back, I wonder?”

Austin was asking Lawrence, but he was more musing out loud. He thought that his parents might return from overseas together with Aria.

“Next month,” Lawrence replied. After a pause, he added, “But your parents are due the day after tomorrow.”

“What? The day after tomorrow?” His eyes almost popped out of his head. This was sudden. Recently he’d been living at home, and his grandparents were on a trip. His house was a mess. Caught unprepared, he didn’t know what to do.

“What’s wrong? There a problem?” Lawrence noticed Austin was a little flustered.

“No… Nothing. I just didn’t expect them to be back so soon,” Austin replied, looking rattled. He then muttered, “I gotta call the cleaning company to deal with the house.”

“Did you sneak a woman into the house?” Lawrence was amused. Even though Austin had spoken in a low voice, Lawrence heard everything.

“No, of course not,” Austin replied. “You know me, Lawrence. I only flirt at the bar. I never bring them home.”

“Why do you need to get your house cleaned?” Lawrence asked, looking puzzled.

“It’s a total disaster area. If I don’t clean it, I’m sure they’ll boot me out,” Austin answered.

“If they do, you can live with me. I won’t leave you homeless,” Lawrence went through more files.

But Austin ignored his kind offer. Cheekily, he said to his cousin, “You can let me run all the hotels in J City and let Tim take my place. I am sure he’ll do a good job. What do you think?”

“That’s not funny,” Lawrence replied calmly.

Austin understood why Lawrence turned him down. ‘He’s smart. How would he agree to let me take over the hotels? But it doesn’t matter. When Dad and Mom come back, I will be a good son and spend more time with them just like Lawrence does, ‘ he mused. ‘They’ll see a new me.’

“You know what? Never mind. I need to finish up some work. Bye Lawrence!” Austin said as he walked towards the door.